GW Art is currently at Dr. Jordan Hardie’s OBGYN Office to set the patients’ eyes at ease.
Dr. Hardie was featured in The Jamaica Observer’s All Woman, May 29th of this year. Go and consult him for your OBGYN Services at 1C Braemar Ave., Kgn. 5 (Ph: 876-368-5547; 876-616-8132).
GW Art
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 876-422-3769
Website (Gallery):Â
Get your GW Art today!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga waited a month to visit Jamaica’s 1st and only Vietnamese Restaurant located in Manor Centre.
Coincidentally, I went two Saturdays ago, which happened to be the Saturday following its marketing publication on Thursday, August 24 in one of our local papers, The Jamaica Observer.
It was a bad day. Positives? All their dishes such as Spring Rolls, Rice, Vegetable, Beef and Chicken dishes, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches and Dessert cost less than $800JMD. So, I was only impressed with their reasonable prices and modern decor. Apparently I wasn’t the only one. I was approached by two young ladies after I left, who asked my opinion of the experience and expressed their dissatisfaction.
I found the contrast of views to be interesting between them as foodies, and a member of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs (International Association of Gastronomy, IAG) who also dined there that day. The ladies believed that, since they are just opening everything should be on point, versus the IAG member who was quick to opine that you cannot judge an establishment within their first month of opening.
I agree with both views, but not entirely. I know of Restaurants that have gotten it right within the 1st month of opening. Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine, Great Escape – Runaway Bay, Jamaica Liquor Warehouse Deli, Cellar 8 and Hard Rock Cafe – Montego Bay are some of those Restaurants, just to name a few.
Since it can be done, what excuses do the Restaurants that don’t get it right have? When is it suitable not to judge and to tolerate teething pains?
It is suitable to tolerate teething pains when the owners are willing to seek general feedback via all mediums whether face to face, over the telephone or via direct messaging. Also, when the owners are willing to have respectful, balanced discussions with dissatisfied diners and are inclined to accept honest, negative feedback and suggestions so that they can prepare themselves with solutions to turn things around as quickly as possible.
Vi Nguyen, one of the founders for 4U Vietnam Restaurant spoke with Suga, and is excited about bringing something new to the Jamaican market and would like to guide her staff to do their best to improve the Restaurant everyday.
Obstacles and Outlooks
â— Lack of Owners’/Managerial Presence
It is critical for an owner to oversee their Restaurant for at least the first 3 months after opening, put in the marketing and stress test the Restaurant. Nguyen, who does not live here and has a different career overseas, got a taste of Jamaican reality. It was a reality check in terms of how long things can take to get going in Jamaica because of various regulations and just how slow the overall process is to open an establishment compared to the USA and Vietnam. It definitely surpassed her time here of 4 months, so she had to leave shortly after the opening to return to work.
There was also unexpected difficulty in getting visas for overseas staff members, which include another Chef and Manager.
She will return to Jamaica in about a week and four other members of staff from overseas, with experience in Vietnamese cuisine should be arriving in November.
â— Overwhelmed staff members leading to an increased shortage of staff
After my visit, where they were one server short, a new server was trained and employed to replace the previous server.
â— Shortage of Ingredients, thus lack of authenticity compared to Vietnamese Restaurants overseas, a limited menu and being unable to offer certain options at a late time on a busy day
A huge shipment of ingredients and supplies is on its way. There is a consideration to eventually buy land here and grow various ingredients such as lemon grass as well.
Why is lemon grass short in Jamaica? Despite the global demand for lemon grass essential oil and the relative ease with which the plant grows in Jamaica, it is not produced commercially.(Jamaica Observer, May 20, 2012)
***Note that one of my brothers’ favourite cuisine in the States is Vietnamese, so I had no choice but to experience it several times and I enjoyed it. Clean, healthy and fresh eating with kicks of herbal flavour. I am looking forward to having this plan realised.
â— Will they take the risk of Participating in Restaurant Week this November?
Yes, but they will only be doing the Lunch Special, which is the most manageable option.
It was a pleasure speaking with Vi Nguyen. It was refreshing to hear how genuinely passionate and eager she is about her plans to improve the Restaurant. I hope they overcome the various setbacks by December and persevere, as I think there is a lot of potential for the Restaurant to improve and possibly grow into a franchise here in Jamaica.
Good luck to Vi Nguyen and the team. Suga will visit again.
4U Vietnam Restaurant
Location: Khemlani Plaza, Manor Centre. Kgn. 8
Ph: 876-616-8367; 876-305-0943
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-8pm; Fri- Sat: 11am-9pm; Sun: 2pm-9pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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A little over a week ago, President Kashane of the Rotaract Club of UTECH worked wih the Chicora Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina to feed 125 homeless men in the Myrtle Beach area.
They conducted this operation of selfless service at the New Directions Men’s Shelter.
Rotaract Club of UTECH, Jamaica
Instagram: @utrchrotaract
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Women’s Singles
Anastasija Sevastova sent Maria Sharapova packing early in 4th round. Beating World no. 2, Simona Halep in the early rounds was probably just too much for Sharapova. Sevastova moves well but I don’t expect her to reach far with her poor service game.
Two-time Wimbledon Champ, Petra Kvitova upset Wimbledon 2017 Champ and US Open favourite, Garbine Muguruza in hard-fought straight sets including a first set tie break last night. Muguruza rolled through her opponents in the opening rounds but Kvitova was just the better player last night. Her powerful shots were too much for Muguruza. Maybe the hard courts just aren’t Muguruza’s specialty either.
Kvitova recently made her comeback after a traumatic injury from a robbery, having to do surgery on her hand with lingering damage to the nerves and more. Kudos to her for making it to the Quarterfinals. She will meet Venus Williams, where she has the advantage of a 4-1 head to head. It is believed the winner of that Quarterfinal in the toughest half of the draw, may ultimately win the US Open.
Venus Williams at 37 years old, beat Carla Suárez Navarro to reach the Quarterfinals. It took 3 sets but she showed the true Champion she was, totally dominating in the 3rd set. She has some work to do on her serve that eventually came together. But her movement was phenomenal, as if she was set back in a time machine.
Sloane Stephens is back from an injury as well. She is not back to her full potential yet, but is still playing well. She is through to the Quarterfinals.
What’s happening on the other side of the draw?
Current World no. 1, Karolina Pliskova will play in the round of 16 today. USA’s Coco Vandeweghe will also be in action along with no. 4, Elina Svitolina who will play the other American still standing, Madison Keys.Â
Today’s Schedule (Women):
Men’s Singles
Today’s Schedule (Men):
Sam Querrey, who upset Andy Murray at Wimbledon has been playing extremely well with more confidence, powerful shots and angles. He is one to watch.
Marin Cilic, past US Open Champ and who reached the Finals of Wimbledon this year, had an early exit.
Juan del Potro (24) is healthy and has been playing well. He will meet World no. 6, Dominic Thiem today.
Roger Federer, who has been suffering from a back injury recently, was struggling in the earlier rounds with 5-set matches. However, he looked like himself again on Saturday, moving much better and destroyed Feliciano Lopez in straight sets.
World no. 1, Rafael Nadal had a shaky round on Saturday but is still through to play in the Round of 16 today. He has never met Roger Federer in the US Open in all their years of rivalry, but if both of them stay on course, they are 2 wins away from a Semifinal match up!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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After the Tallawahs’ spectacular win over Chris Gayle’s Patriots, they are now 2nd on the Points table, with the unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders at the top.
The final 2 matches before the Playoffs will be held in Barbados. The Playoffs and Final will be in Trinidad.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors are currently in the 4th spot and the Barbados Tridents are in 5th Spot. Darren Sammy’s St. Lucia Stars without a single win in the tournament so far, don’t have a chance.
So, expect the Warriors to fight to secure a spot in the Playoffs tonight, but our Jamaica Tallawahs are looking good!
Enjoy!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Dorothy Wang had dinner at Jean-Georges in Beverly Hills two weeks ago and said her Beggar’s Purse was the cutest and fanciest she has ever seen. Suga agrees!
It was filled with Ossetra Caviar and Vodka cream, tied with a chive and topped with a gold leaf.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a famed French Chef that is known to craft his dishes with blends of French, American and Asian influences.
His Fine Dining Restaurant, Jean-Georges in Beverly Hills has 3 Michelin stars! Jean-Georges is also in New York, overlooking Central Park.
Jean-Georges Restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Location: 9850 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, Ca. 90210 USA
Ph: 310-860-6566
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Two Saturdays ago, I went to Black Orchid Restaurant, upstairs in Eden Gardens to redeem my Fine Vegetarian Cuisine Special for two.
My husband, Randy and I had the Fine Dining Restaurant to ourselves that night at 8:45pm.
Our host/waiter for the night that emerged from the Tulips Restaurant downstairs was quite hospitable.
He took our order of Moussaka and Vegan Pasta, then realised instantly that they did not have Eggplant for the Special we already paid for.
Moussaka is a layered eggplant or potato-based dish that sometimes includes ground meat. Many versions have a top layer made like a custard. In Greece, the dish is layered and typically served hot. In Turkey, it is served warm or at room temperature after being sautéed and served like a casserole. The Arabs usually eat it cold.
Our host reassured us that they had a competent Chef who had experience working with the Cruiselines and that he would come to speak with us shortly. Chef Xavier got an idea about what we expected, i.e. the layered eggplant casserole and the Vegan Pasta, also with Eggplant and Parmesan. He told us that he knew what he would do for us even though he didn’t have Eggplant or Squash, but other vegetables.
To our surprise, about half an hour later, our host arrived with not two, but three dishes! I got both the Vegan Pasta and the Eggplant Parmesan Casserole. Randy had a Cheesy Eggplant Casserole as well, but his was a combination of other Cheeses since he told the Chef he didn’t mind which Cheese was used. Chef Xavier looked like he also found a small amount of Eggplant stashed away and had just enough to put in the Casseroles, but not the Vegan Pasta.
The Casseroles had a mixture of eggplant, other vegetables and potatoes in a freshly made tomato sauce layered with cheese. While the Vegan Pasta had a mixture of vegetables as well, topped of with grated parmesan cheese. All dishes had distinct flavours that pleased us both.
I just planned on having the Vegan Pasta and tasting the Casserole but as I had a little of both, I had a lot of both. Chef Xaver did an exceptional job. Cheat Day times two!
I really appreciated them extending such a courtesy when they saw we were not going to get what we expected. They actually exceeded our expectations.
Our Blended Drinks were delish as well!
I can’t speak to other items on their menu, but if you are ever feeling for Cheesy Casserole Dishes, go to Black Orchid and pray that Chef Xavier didn’t sail away in a Cruiseline Kitchen.
Black Orchid Restaurant
Location: Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa @ 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston
Ph: 876-946-9977
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Find a Participating Store near you or Shop it Online at www.pandora.net/en-us !
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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New York is alive again, with the US Open starting today!
Wimbledon 2017 Champ, Garbine Muguruza is already through to the next round!
Stay tuned!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Teaser, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.